The EOOS Conference will bring together the full breadth of ocean observing stakeholder from the scientific community, public authorities, industry and civil society to (i) provide an overview of the range of observing/monitoring efforts in Europe, (ii) consider requirements, gaps and cost-benefits of ocean observing; (iii) align data acquisition activities with data processing, management and sharing efforts; and (iv) discuss and strengthen the development of a coordinating ‘cycle’ for evolving EOOS.

This EOOS event is organized by the EMODnet, European Marine Board and EuroGOOS Secretariats in close collaboration with wider stakeholder community and with financial support from the European Commission. This Conference is linked to a one-day EOOS Forum on 8 March 2018.

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Background

Since 2015, the European Marine Board and EuroGOOS have been working in partnership to advance EOOS from a concept to a concrete initiative designed to align, integrate and promote Europe’s complex and fragmented ocean observing capacity, guided by an EOOS Steering Group (see www.eoos-ocean.eu). Within the scope of this, these organizations identified the need for a gathering of stakeholders in 2018 to advance the EOOS process and gather support from a wide base of stakeholders. It was agreed to combine efforts with the EMODnet Secretariat to organize a joint multi-day EOOS Conference in autumn 2018 gathering support and commitment from the widest possible remit of stakeholders, as a complementary follow up to an EOOS forum to take place on 8 March 2018 focusing on sustainability issues and national operational observing activities. This approach will ensure all drivers, actors and stakeholders converge and join forces to create maximum impact.

Aims and objectives

The Conference will gather the diverse stakeholder communities both delivering to, and dependent on, Europe’s ocean observation/monitoring capacity, to

showcase current and planned ocean observing and monitoring capability by presenting insights from major ongoing activities;

connect and align diverse observing and monitoring communities and those that rely upon their outputs and services;

assess the economic case for sustained observation/monitoring in Europe;

identify gaps and requirements as well as cost effective solutions that will contribute to evolving an efficient, inclusive and effective end-to-end EOOS;

assess the EOOS strategy and implementation and identifying further concrete joint actions to advance the EOOS agenda.

Focus and scope

The scope of the Conference is fully in line with the scope for EOOS itself as envisaged in the EOOS Consultation document: all-encompassing, taking into account the systematic collection of all kinds of data from the marine environment, focusing on the European effort, but set within a global context. The ultimate aim is to ensure a well-coordinated ocean monitoring/observing activity to increase our understanding of the short-medium to long term changes of the system and to underpin an ecosystem based management of our marine and coastal environment which supports blue green growth.

The Conference should address and progress the four main actions underpinning the development of EOOS: (i) Align and connect existing initiatives to ensure efficiency and value for money; (ii) Identify gaps in the European observing capacity and foster initiatives to fill those gaps; (iii) Promote observing capacities which can benefit multiple sectors including research, policy, management and industry; and (iv) Ensure that European ocean observing is integrated into the global observation system(s) by providing a focal point for interaction with international programmes (e.g. GOOS, GEOSS) and partner initiatives outside of Europe.

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The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is financed by the European Union under Regulation (EU) No 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.